‘Raw-dogging’ is trending. But its roots draw on bibical wisdom

Critics have dubbed the latest social media craze idiotic, but Lucy Peppiatt argues that it has much in common with ancient spiritual disciplines 

I don’t know if you’ve heard of ‘raw-dogging’. It’s the practice of enduring a long-haul flight with no films, no music, no sleep and sometimes no food, drink or even toilet breaks! 

Apparently, it’s mostly young men taking part in this intriguing practice, and then posting about their achievements on social media.  One raw-dogging enthusiast recently took to Instagram to boast that he’d achieved a “personal best”, enduring a 13-hour journey without any in-flight entertainment at all. No doubt there’s an element of competition involved, hence the sharing on socials but, at its heart, it’s really a display of fortitude. According to a BBC report: “For these men, the appeal seems to be the opportunity to prove their resilience and self-control.”